'Dutch-Siberian Napus' Kale Grex

Brassica napus Origin: Minnesota/Wisconsin/Oregon/Colorado Improvement status: Grex/Breeding material Seeds per packet: ~80 Germination tested 11/2024: 91% Life cycle: Biennial We love Brassica napus kales, from the common 'Red Russian' or 'Ragged Jack' to the uncommon Dutch heirloom 'Blauwe Groninger' (our favorite). Many of these are known as 'Siberian' kales, and they are incredibly cold hardy. Brassica napus is the same species as rutabaga, believed to be the result of an ancient hybridization between a cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and a turnip (Brassica rapa). In general, the napus kales are more tender, with a less bitter, more mustardy flavor than the rest of the kales (like standard "curly kale", 'Tuscan Black', or "purple kale"), which are the same species as cabbage. We are excited to be offering this "grex" (freely interbreeding diverse population) which contains a wide variety of delicious 'Siberian'/'Red Russian' kales — from a population originally released by Frank Morto